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My name is Greg Jackson.

I'm a PhD holding historian, a professor and the creator of history that doesn't suck.

A podcast that makes legit seriously researched

American history come to life through entertaining stories. Join me for a

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In 1536, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V returned to Europe in triumph.

In fact, he was honored in Rome itself, in a triumph, like a Roman triumph.

Chariots and prisoners in chains, chests of treasure, and the emperor himself

in purple robes at the head.

At that moment, I imagine Charles could have reclaimed the imperial throne of Rome, the real imperial

throne of Rome. You know, they say the Holy Roman Empire is a misnomer. It wasn't very holy, it was more German than Roman, and it wasn't truly an empire.

The Holy Roman Emperor's power was in reality derived mostly from his other titles. He would occasionally

serve as a unifying force for the many princes and dukes in Germany, but other than that,

not truly an emperor.

But after his triumph in Rome, Charles might really have done it.

He was a returning hero.

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